Originally Appearing in the Bennington Banner
BENNINGTON - Multitalented local doctor/theatre producer Joshua Sherman is proud to present "Charmers," a new web series of short musical films with original music, lyrics and choreography for those obsessed with Movie Musicals and Broadway. Episodes are free to watch at JoshuaShermanPresents. com.
A practicing M.D. at Southern Vermont Medical Center, Sherman is also a voting member of the Recording Academy and an experienced theater professional.
The first season of "Charmers" will feature four episodes, two of which are currently available online.
In "Curiosity" a librarian is taught a thing or two from a student. It features Ryan Kasprzak (assistant choreographer, "Smash," "Billy Elliott"), and Ryan VanDen-Boom ("Annie").
In "A Little Imagination," VanDenBoom plays a janitor who dreams his worries away.
Upcoming episodes include "We Talk Without Words," in which two wallflowers, Kelly Buck ("High School Musical") and Ryan VanDenBoom, fall in love after the dance is long over. It will be released on Wednesday, November 13th.
Tony Award Winner Lillias White ("Fela," "The Life") will play the Christmas Loon, a new holiday character in "I Keep Christmas In My Pocket" beginning November 27th.
All episodes run approximately four minutes.
The web series is co-directed by Sherman and Ryan VanDen-Boom, who also choreographed. Gail C. Bluestone ("Perfect Picture") composed the music and Emmy Award Winner Eileen Bluestone Sherman ("The Odd Potato") wrote the lyrics. Sam Willmott (Fred Ebb Award winner) is the musical arranger and Antonio Panetta ("Smash," NFL) is the cinematographer.
Sherman's mother, Eileen, and aunt, Gail, are the writers of the music in the series and Joshua is "keeping it in the family" with the collaboration. His mother wrote "The Odd Potato: The Broadway Album," which Joshua produced in 2005 and is currently available through Broadway Cares. The album features 20 Tony Award® winners and was based on his grandfather's true-life story of growing up during the Depression.
"I have always loved old movie musicals and classic Broadway. These 'charmers' are the perfect way to meld that classic style with web technology," said Sherman. "I want to entertain and, ultimately, create a new musical golden age for contemporary audiences."
The precursors to music videos were Soundies, first launched in the 1940's. Soundies were all the rage and they preserved early performances from some of the 20th century's greatest film stars before they were famous. Charmers updates the flavor of Soundies with simple, stylish, and witty musical performances.
Season Two of "Charmers" is currently in development.